I'd like to see them slow down their publishing schedule (for PH4 and other books). I'm getting my nephews into RPGs with 4E, but the shear volume of books on the shelves is pretty intimidating to him...
Since this is basically not likely to happen an alternative is to just pick up a certain amount of material and run with that. I am given to understand (but have not tried it) that you can choose which books are legal for your campaign in the DDI via preferences if you want to keep it down to a smaller sub set of the material - though its often fairly easy to run the game using the DDI even without some books.
I'd like to see them slow down their publishing schedule (for PH4 and other books). I'm getting my nephews into RPGs with 4E, but the shear volume of books on the shelves is pretty intimidating to him...Since this is basically not likely to happen an alternative is to just pick up a certain amount of material and run with that. I am given to understand (but have not tried it) that you can choose which books are legal for your campaign in the DDI via preferences if you want to keep it down to a smaller sub set of the material - though its often fairly easy to run the game using the DDI even without some books.
It's there on the character builder, but it's up to the player to find and block off the other options.
Owner - Johnny Scott Comics and Games
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Thanks for the advice, but we're trying to avoid the DDI. Half of the purpose for introducing my nephews to PnP RPGs is to get them off of the computer for a while. They spend crazy amounts of time playing video games and surfing the web, so I've got an agreement with their parents that they can learn this game just to get them to try something other than computer-related. We focus on the books, and the books only.
Unfortunately, there are so many OF them, it's intimidating for my nephews to decide which ones they "need" to build their characters. With their birthdays coming up in July and August, they're trying to decide what books to ask for and are having a hard time deciding...This issue will only get worse as WOTC continues to flood the market with more and more product at their current pace.
<sigh> Looks like I'll be going over budget for birthday gifts again...
(not really a complaint, just an observation)
Let's see, for players the Player's Handbooks 1 and 2 are really all they need, and the second one could probably be skipped if they only want the bare minimum. If one of them want to DM, the Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual would also be needed. The other books are useful, but they aren't really needed.
Just use PH1 to teach them. You don't need anything except that, even the later PHs. As they get more used to the game, slowly bring in more options.
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Owner - Johnny Scott Comics and Games
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Just use PH1 to teach them. You don't need anything except that, even the later PHs. As they get more used to the game, slowly bring in more options.
We've got the basics. Now they want the options. (kids always want whatever's new...) And there are so MANY options to choose from...
In that case, the other Player's Handbooks are good if they don't have them already. If they have those, the Power books for whatever power source they think is most interesting would be second. (Arcane and the two Martial Powers are the best, in my opinion.)
I'd suggest Adventurer's Vault 1, as well. When I'm a player, I usually bring the appropriate PH, Power book, and AV1.
I would suggest PH1 > PH2 > PH3 > Dark Sun and then consider martial powers and arcane.
Thanks for the advice, but we're trying to avoid the DDI. Half of the purpose for introducing my nephews to PnP RPGs is to get them off of the computer for a while. They spend crazy amounts of time playing video games and surfing the web, so I've got an agreement with their parents that they can learn this game just to get them to try something other than computer-related. We focus on the books, and the books only.
Unfortunately, there are so many OF them, it's intimidating for my nephews to decide which ones they "need" to build their characters. With their birthdays coming up in July and August, they're trying to decide what books to ask for and are having a hard time deciding...This issue will only get worse as WOTC continues to flood the market with more and more product at their current pace.
<sigh> Looks like I'll be going over budget for birthday gifts again...
(not really a complaint, just an observation)
In this case things are actually much easier. Now you just need to define a 'core set'. PHB1, PHB2, Adventurers Vault make an excellent core set for a player - the the options you'll ever really need to play. The DMG1 and some Monster Manuals are a good place to start for the DM.
The hardest choice here is the monster manuals because they do get better as time goes on but the most iconic monsters are in MM1. Now I can say from running newbs** that they actually have no clue what is and what is not iconic so you might just go with MM3.
**my newbs made fun of many of the iconic monsters in my case - they refused to take the Owlbears or Bugbears seriously.
Angered at their dissing of my beloved monsters (I even provided colour pictures to up their impact...no dice). So I made a kick ass Bugbear human hunter and chased them all over the dungeon with it. Not sure it raised their esteem for classic monsters any but it sure made me feel better.
Angered at their dissing of my beloved monsters (I even provided colour pictures to up their impact...no dice). So I made a kick ass Bugbear human hunter and chased them all over the dungeon with it. Not sure it raised their esteem for classic monsters any but it sure made me feel better.
I'd say that's all that really matters. Taking your anger out on new players is what D&D is about, right? ;)
Okay, seriously, I can understand not being impressed by bugbears. All the ugly humanoids tend to blend together in my mind, under the cannon fodder umbrella.
I removed some random edition-wars flamebait.
A swashbuckler to act as the martial controller, that for me right now is my highest priority for 4th edition.
Angered at their dissing of my beloved monsters (I even provided colour pictures to up their impact...no dice). So I made a kick ass Bugbear human hunter and chased them all over the dungeon with it. Not sure it raised their esteem for classic monsters any but it sure made me feel better.I'd say that's all that really matters. Taking your anger out on new players is what D&D is about, right? ;)
Okay, seriously, I can understand not being impressed by bugbears. All the ugly humanoids tend to blend together in my mind, under the cannon fodder umbrella.
Then your missing a trick I am afraid. Both Pathfinder and WFRP have demonstrated the narrative power of well characterising goblins, orcs and related species(to the point where different tribes of orks are identifiable by their appearance and behaviour, to thoasands of gamers who play in various versions of the 40k universe). Lumping them together as cannon fodder really only deprives you of a useful tool as a storyteller.